
A parent might reach for this book when their middle schooler feels like an outcast or is struggling with the social pressures and name-calling common in those years. The Misfits follows four friends, Bobby, Addie, Joe, and Skeezie, who have been labeled and picked on for years. Tired of just surviving seventh grade, they decide to fight back by forming a new political party for the student council election, the "No-Name Party," to end name-calling once and for all. This heartfelt and often humorous story explores deep themes of friendship, identity, bullying, and the courage it takes to stand up for what is right. For ages 10 to 14, it’s a powerful tool for opening conversations about empathy, acceptance, and finding the strength in being different.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewDeals with the emotional pain of bullying and social isolation. A character's mother died in the past.
Central theme of bullying based on perceived intelligence, appearance, and sexual orientation (homophobia).
Bullying and identity are the core sensitive topics, and the approach is very direct. The book uses hurtful slurs (including “faggot” and “retard”) to realistically portray the pain of name-calling. Joe's identity as a gay middle schooler is handled with groundbreaking frankness and sensitivity for its time. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: while the characters don't achieve a total victory in the election, they win a more important battle for self-acceptance and find empowerment in using their voices. The perspective is secular.
This book is for the 11 to 13-year-old who feels like they don't belong, who has been the target of name-calling, or who is beginning to notice social injustice and wants to do something about it. It’s also an essential read for a child questioning their own identity or that of a friend, providing a model of unconditional acceptance.
Parents should be prepared for the direct use of slurs. It is not gratuitous but is central to the book's anti-bullying message. A pre-reading conversation about why an author would choose to include such hurtful words can be very effective. This context helps a child understand the impact of the language rather than just being shocked by it. A parent hears their child say, “Everyone at school is so mean,” or their child comes home visibly upset after being called a name. It's also a perfect book for when a child starts asking questions about words they've heard, like slurs related to intelligence or sexual orientation, and the parent wants a narrative to frame the discussion.
A 10-year-old will connect strongly with the themes of friendship, fairness, and the core anti-bullying message. An older reader, around 13 or 14, will better appreciate the nuances of the political process, the discussions around freedom of speech (Addie's refusal to say the Pledge), and the deeper social implications of Joe's coming-out journey.
Among the many middle-grade books about bullying, The Misfits stands out for its activist framework and its history. It was one of the first mainstream books for this age group to feature an openly gay main character in such a positive, central way. Its focus on using political action (a student election) as a tool for social change is unique, and it directly inspired the creation of the real-world anti-bullying initiative, No Name-Calling Week.
Four seventh-grade friends who call themselves “The Gang of Five” have each been targeted by bullies with a specific slur: Bobby (the narrator) is called a “retard,” Joe is called a homophobic slur, Addie is a “know-it-all,” and Skeezie is a “greasy slob.” Fed up with the toxic social environment, the outspoken Addie decides to run for student council president on a “No-Name” platform, aiming to end name-calling at their school. The campaign challenges the friends' loyalties, forces them to confront their own insecurities, and tests their resolve to make a difference in a school that seems resistant to change.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.